"Democracy!" I scream "The peace and utility of Rome!" I holler "The art and invention of Europe!" I entreat "Manifest Destiny!" I bellow "Self-defense!" I argue "God's gift to use!" I exclaim "Pax Americana! I cry
Their milky white eyes Silently stare at me...
From under the floorboards Just beneath my feet
"Will you not speak?" I ask "Will you not tell me what I can do?" " Will you not tell me how I can end your torment and mine?"
Slowly, their voices rise, as one, again
"There are ways" they whisper "There are ways to put us all to peaceful sleep" "There are ways to heal the wounds past and present" "There are ways to prevent future torment and pain" "There are ways to remove us forever...
From beneath your feet And your nightmares"
"How, dead souls?" I ask "How can I end this nightmare?"
"Redemption!" they reply "Transformation!" they chant "Surrender" they pray "Peace" they whisper "Compassion" they assert
"Be a leader of your people" "Be a true promoter of freedom" "Be a real expression of peace" "Be the embodiment of courage" "Be a warrior of love"
"Do it now!" "Do it now!" "Do it now!" "Do it n...
At this, a beam of sunlight Crossed the room And landed on my eyes
Jim Bush is a 61 year old, Vietnam-era veteran, currently living in Katy,Texas. He was raised in a military family. His father received the Silver Star for directing troops while under air attack at Clark Field in the Phillipines, survived the Bataan Death March, and spent three and a half years in a Japanese POW camp. He also received the Purple Heart for wounds received while a POW. Jim served as an army photographer in Okinawa and Korea. In 1987 he traveled to the war zones of Nicaragua with a veteran's group dedicated to stopping the Contra War.
